Information recording medium, recording apparatus, reproduction apparatus, recording method, and reproduction method

Abstract

An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layers. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers.

1. An information recording medium comprising:
 a plurality of recording layers; 
 a test area for determining a recording power of a laser light for each of the plurality of recording layers, and 
 a plurality of buffer areas, 
 wherein a first test area of a first layer and a second test area of a second layer adjacent to the first layer are provided at different radial positions such that the first test area of the first layer overlaps a region of the adjacent second layer provided for purposes other than a test area, the first test area being located closer to an inside circumference side and the second test area being located closer to an outside circumference side, 
 wherein a first buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just before the first test area, a second buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just after the first test area, a third buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just before the second test area, a fourth buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just after the second test area, 
 wherein a recording power of the first layer is decided by using the first test area from the inside circumference side, and 
 wherein a recording power of the second layer is decided by using the second test area from the outside circumference side. 
 
     
     
       2. A reproducing method for information from an information recording medium according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 reproducing a data recorded with the determined recording power. 
 
     
     
       3. A method for determining a recording power for an information recording medium, the medium including:
 a plurality of recording layers; 
 a test area for determining a recording power of a laser light for each of the plurality of recording layers; and 
 a plurality of buffer areas, 
 wherein a first test area of a first layer and a second test area of a second layer adjacent to the first layer are provided at different radial positions such that the first test area of the first layer overlaps a region of the adjacent second layer provided for purposes other than a test area, the first test area being located closer to an inside circumference side and the second test area being located closer to an outside circumference side, 
 wherein a first buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just before the first test area, a second buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just after the first test area, a third buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just before the second test area, a fourth buffer area among the plurality of buffer areas is located just after the second test area, 
 the method comprising: 
 determining a recording power of the first layer by using the first test area from the inside circumference side, and determining a recording power of the second layer by using the second test area from the outside circumference side.